To brighten a dark day, I really want to take a few moments to give some former WWE employees their flowers. They could use some positive energy right now.

So I'm creating a thread praising their talent. Feel free to join with your own replies praising your faves if you want.

Zack Ryder is the pinnacle for how wrestlers, and maybe any brand should promote themselves on social media.

Not only did he get himself immensely over from a YouTube show, there would be no Being the Elite without that same show.

Lio Rush is one of the most incredibly talented in-ring high flyers I've ever seen on this or any side of a wrestling ring.

He was able to overcome depression to return and become Cruiserweight Champion. Kudos to him. His comeback run was fun while it lasted.

Heath Slater took a silly "I Got Kids" t-shirt, turned it into the most interesting storyline of 2016, and became the first ever SmackDown Tag Team Champion. That's impressive.

Plus, 3MB - as goofy as they were - will always have a special place in my heart.

Curt Hawkins made us care about a losing streak. The more he lost and made it mean something, the more we were itching to see him get one win.

Much like his buddy Zack Ryder, he made something out of nothing and made entertaining TV.

Drake Maverick ... man, where to even begin?

His storylines with R-Truth and Mike Kanellis - as different as they were - were better than they had any right to be.

Utterly believable and captivating as both the scrappy underdog and the hilarious bufoon. Sold both roles well.

One more thing on Drake Maverick - the guy used a goofy comedy angle to get his real life wife consistent back-to-back work on TV.

When you think about it, that's kind of amazing.